Gauge pod & gauges

[m3f_M_Parallel]

...Beautiful form and function. What could be better?



And I'd still like to know how to get that damn trim piece off!

I've now told you a few times to take of the stalks. Have you done so?



What could be better? How about this:





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHAvvBZyGFs














Nothing will beat this for OEM-ness. Same applies to E36 OBC, possible with the OpenOBC project.

[m3f_JitteryJoe]

I've now told you a few times to take of the stalks. Have you done so?

The stalks? Which are you referring to? Sorry if I'm being thick.



Do you mean #3? If so, how do you remove them? There is no bolt head.



Thanks, Joe



http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=32_0710

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Uh....really?


The stalks, as in indicator/wiper stalk. Not a steering column part.

[m3f_JitteryJoe]

Uh....really?



The stalks, as in indicator/wiper stalk. Not a steering column part.

Not familiar with the term. Anyway, they are not in the way. There does not seem to be enough clearance to remove the upper trim piece because the lip of the trim (the edge with the rubber trim) cannot clear the space between the steering column tube and the dash. My guess is that the steering tube has to drop maybe 1/2 inch to get the clearance. I'm trying not to force it because I don't know if the trim is suppose to clear as is (maybe the rubber gives way under enough force).



If anyone has done this, please chime in!

[m3f_Nate047]

gauges on the sunglass pocket works really well, unless you need to be all fast and furious.

I'm gonna have to disagree, but only from a track driving point of view. If there's a warning light I don't think you'd even notice it when it's that far away from line of sight so that kind of kills the whole point. I like the A pillar or a dash mounted pod, but yes it's a bit track looking. Some would even go as far as to call it ricey but I'm not ashamed of my rice boy tendencies. this is how I mounted a wideband in my last track car, pretty clean IMO:







You could do something similar with the side vent on the E36. I had three other gauges on the dash which didn't "look" very good, but this placement was good for visibility.







I'm surprised no one has come up with a clean looking pod for the E36 to place gauges in this position. There's a perfect spot for it:

I have A pillar gauges as well. Sunglasses tray is not an ideal location. I have a Helix DIRECTOR remote custom mounted there and I never look at it when the car's in motion. The steering wheel mounting option offers the best visibility but it makes my steering wheel look like a Mickey Mouse so I decided against it.



I custom molded the gauge pod on the A pillar and covered it up with suede. The look is flawless and OEM like.



I think Innovate Motorsports still makes the gauges that most resemble the stock cluster. I had them modified by Marshall Instruments (the supplier for Innovate Motorsports) to match my dashboard.







Jon

This looks great IMO and gives good visibility. I would potentially go with something like this for my own car.

[m3f_M_Parallel]

Not familiar with the term. Anyway, they are not in the way. There does not seem to be enough clearance to remove the upper trim piece because the lip of the trim (the edge with the rubber trim) cannot clear the space between the steering column tube and the dash. My guess is that the steering tube has to drop maybe 1/2 inch to get the clearance. I'm trying not to force it because I don't know if the trim is suppose to clear as is (maybe the rubber gives way under enough force).



If anyone has done this, please chime in!

Then how do you call these? Handles?



If the stalks are off, you should be able to tilt the piece upwards, this way clearing that lip. That lip is not high at all.

[m3f_JitteryJoe]

Then how do you call these? Handles?



If the stalks are off, you should be able to tilt the piece upwards, this way clearing that lip. That lip is not high at all.

I really have not thought about what I call them. I just have not heard that term before.

I'll take another look tonight. To my recollection they are not in the way but I'm happy to be wrong especially if it means less work.

[m3f_JitteryJoe]

Ok. Got the steering column trim piece off. Just took some fiddling and pressure at the right spots and it came free. No breakage either. Thanks everyone.

[m3f_JitteryJoe]

I think I've narrowed the gauges to Innovate dual display and SPA Signature Dual digital.

I know some of you have used the Innovate gauges.

Anyone used SPA dual digital? Either the classic dual or the new Signature dual?

Thanks, Joe

[m3f_Purple99M3]

A bit more of a track setup, but doesn't hurt to show others.. Spec Pro gauages. I am specifically talking about the 2 on top of the center of the dash.. In the line of site when on track and it flashes red when outside of the desired zones..



If it's a street only car, I wouldn't even bother with the gauges.. you aren't going to be pushing hard enough to see anything crazy.. unless you are just super paranoid (yes.. I am).

[m3f_Baby ///M3]

Thank you!



Before going with the A pillar setup I also thought about mounting the gauges over the center A/C vent. It would've been an ideal location but I couldn't find any custom pod that looks good in that spot.



If you go with the A pillar route, be sure to get the pod custom molded and wrap it with Alcantara. It's a bit time consuming and costly but the result is well worth it.



Jon

I'm gonna have to disagree, but only from a track driving point of view. If there's a warning light I don't think you'd even notice it when it's that far away from line of sight so that kind of kills the whole point. I like the A pillar or a dash mounted pod, but yes it's a bit track looking. Some would even go as far as to call it ricey but I'm not ashamed of my rice boy tendencies. this is how I mounted a wideband in my last track car, pretty clean IMO:







You could do something similar with the side vent on the E36. I had three other gauges on the dash which didn't "look" very good, but this placement was good for visibility.







I'm surprised no one has come up with a clean looking pod for the E36 to place gauges in this position. There's a perfect spot for it:











This looks great IMO and gives good visibility. I would potentially go with something like this for my own car.

[m3f_JitteryJoe]

Those of you that installed aftermarket gauges, where did you route the wires through the firewall? I have 3 wire bundles (water temp, oil temp, oil pressure) wiring that I have to get from the steering column to the engine bay. I have the driver & passenger side panels/glovebox out. Thanks! --Joe